Africa University and Valparaiso 1st. (Part 2)

Tatenda's smile hasn't changed.  He's just 14 years older than the
last time we saw him.

Africa University students appear in our church from time to time over the years...especially since our team was there in 2000 and again we (Gene and Bonnie Albert) went again in 2011.   Friends have been made through these visits to the university and subsequent contacts with students.

Let me introduce you to Tatenda Katsidzira.   Most of you will not remember him.   He came to us for the school year 2002-03 as an exchange student at Kalamazoo College.   Let me give you a little background.  

Webster, Joyce and Bonnie talk about how this must
happen again... we can't wait another 14 years.

Tatenda was born at the mission hospital in Ol' Mutare, went to school at the Methodist Mission School near that hospital, and then walked down the hill and enrolled in Africa University in the field of Agriculture.   He never ventured away from Mutare. 

In 2002 he received the full grant to be the Agriculture Department's exchange student in the US.   Since our team spent time with Joyce, Tatenda's mother, she reached out to us to be a contact for him on this very special journey in his life.  

We agreed (several families got involved).   In the late summer of 2002 we met him at O'Hare.   Can you imagine how he must have felt to be traveling on an airplane and landing in the US?   His travel experience is something you and I would never have... he was guarded the entire time he was in the London airport as he changed planes.   If you remember this was the time when tensions were high with the political situation in Zimbabwe.   So we found a young man who was very happy to be with a family even though we only had a relationship with his mom. 

Bonnie, Tapuwa, Tatenda, and Gene

The rest is history...we were his family while he attended Kalamazoo.  He spent holidays with us and came to church with us.   There will be some people who remember him as you were very generous in getting all those supplies needed for starting that college experience. 

Time passes and with the economic climate in Zimbabwe worsening, Tatenda was granted a visa to come to Canada to try and make a way for himself and be near a sister who had emigrated there previously.   That was in 2008 so when we were in Zimbabwe in 2011, we could visit with Joyce and Webster and hear about Tatenda.

Out of the blue earlier this month, Tatenda sent me a Facebook message.   He was coming to Michigan to be with his wife's family and discovered that we didn't live far away.   As you can see, the plan developed quickly and what a joy it was.   After 14 years we were able to be with Tatenda and it seemed like little time had passed. 

Our church has not only supported students with giving funds to build a dorm or to endow scholarships, we have had the opportunity to be with them and be their friend over the long haul.  

 

African names are always interesting.   Tatenda means "thank you" in his native Shona language.   Tapuwa mean "God is with us".   Notice that the parents names reflect the British rule under colonialism.   The "official" language is English (again from colonial times) while this area of Zimbabwe also speak Shona.  They left colonialism in 1980 under Robert Mugabe who remains their president today.  

Africa University and Valparaiso 1st (part 1)

Valparaiso 1st had a great team of volunteers who traveled to Africa University in August 2000.   Jim and Lois Stone, Bonnie and Gene Albert, Dorie Lebio, and others went to see the new dorm that had been completed at the university and to learn more about the university.   Our church had provided enough funds to have a room with a plaque indicating our support for the university.   I remember clearly how important Indiana people were to the growth at that time of this young university. 

Well, this year the University celebrated 25 years of existence.   I'd like to introduce you to one of the graduates from this 25th year.  Pambi Jatuhu is a student we (our UMW) has supported since her 2nd semester of her 1st year.   Pambi graduated this year with a degree in Psychology.   She lives in Nigeria and has just returned to Nigeria to do her 1 year of volunteer service for the government.  We helped pay tuition in her first year and have maintained contact with her throughout her years at Africa University.   She was a top student and was part of the Africa University choir.  She considers our women as part of her spiritual family.

One of the activities she did before graduation was to be invited to participate in a photo shoot for some publicity photos.   Keep her in your prayers as she completes her volunteer time and begins the process of seeking employment.  

 

 

 

 

 

Our continued support through the Indiana Conference AU Campaign was much appreciated and will be used for generations to come in two ways.   1) A professor's salary will be underwritten in the endowment fund by the 1st million dollars Indiana Churches gave and 2) at least 4 students will receive tuition assistance each year.  Our generous gift of $29,000 was recognized as one of the 17 churches in our conference where the gift was at least $10,000 or $100/member.   

 

Our congregation donated about $15,000 via 3 Christmas Eve offering and several Monthly Mission Focus offerings,  $3,000 came from Jane Roberts Memorial to be used for AU, and $12,000 came from the endowment from the Mel Crisman gifts to the National/International mission team.  Thanks to all who participated.   We are changing the lives of many highly motivated and talented young people.   

Congratulations go to Chiwimbo Gwenambira

For the past few years our church has given the Christmas Eve offering to support the Africa University Campaign under the Indiana Conference leadership.   In addition to giving money to support the Agriculture Department at the University and student scholarships, we are also learning more about Africa University in the process.

 

 QUICK FACTS:

1. The university opened its doors in 1992 to 40 students.
2. The first two faculties were Theology and Agriculture.
3. Since 1992 over 5500 have received a degree.
4. Currently 28 Africa nations are represented on the campus.
5. 1450 students were enrolled for 2014-2015 school year.
6. All classes are taught in English. 
7. They now have 7 faculties for degreed work at the university.

Our church has a goal for the AU Campaign of $29,000 or more.  When our church joins the other churches and individuals from around the Conference (State of Indiana), we hope to have $1.6 million dollars to be placed in an endowment for salary support for the Agriculture Department and scholarship support for students such as Chiwimbo.

 

Chinoeso, Chiwimbo, and Pricilla at Graduation

Reverands Gwenambira visit Valparaiso 1st May 10  

On Sunday May 10, Chiwimbo and her parents were with us in the 9:15 worship service.   They so appreciated the way in which we extended our radical hospitality.  Chiwimbo had just celebrated her graduation from Michigan State with a Master's Degree in Crop and Soil Sciences.  

Both her parents a United Methodist Pastors in Zimbabwe.   Her father Chinoeso pastors a church with over 1000 who worship each Sunday.   Her mother has been assigned to a rural area where she pastors 6 churches and shepherds 700 worshippers on a Sunday morning.  Her father did his Master's in Divinity at Africa University just before Chichi began her studies there.  She graduated at the top of her class in Agriculture with emphasis on research in crop and soil sciences.  Africa University prepared her very well to move forward with advanced degrees. 

Please remember Chichi and others like her when you give to the Christmas even offering in December 2015.   It means we will be supporting other fine young people just like her who have great plans to make a difference in the world. 

Chichi will be returning to East Lansing this coming fall to begin her doctoral program at Michigan State.  All of the data research will be done in Malawi and Zimbabwe while the actual data analysis will be done in the labs at Michigan State.   We wish her all the best as she continues to "be a Spartan".   (Game days there are a pain...all sorts of bus delays for the serious student.)                   

Chiwimbo receives her Master's Degree on Friday, May 8.

Chiwimbo and her parents at Michigan State for the big event. 

Chiwimbo will soon graduate with a Master's Degree from Michigan State in Plant and Soil Sciences.   Her parents along with Chiwimbo will be with us for worship on May 10.  Please welcome them to our church "community". 

The "grape vine" via Princess tells me that she will be returning to Michigan State to begin her Doctorate in the same faculty...Plant and Soil Sciences.   We expect to get the full story about her future on Sunday.

 

Let's meet another graduate of Africa University

Sandie Petronella Sikazwe Chanda is a young woman with a small connection to our congregation in the late summer of 2000.   Sandie was one of 4 students to receive a bit of financial support from the Valparaiso 1st Mission team to AU.    While the team did not meet her in person at that time, we have managed to keep in touch through the years thanks to the internet...especially for the last 10 years.   Sandie did meet the team from Valparaiso 1st in fall of 2011.

Since our first connection, she has graduated from Africa University, found employment in Zambia with various NGO's.    Currently she is working in Solwezi, Zambia which is an  underdeveloped mining community located in a northwestern province of Zambia. This cooper mine is operated by an Australian company and now the 8th largest in the world.   Here is how she describes her job:

Under Fhi360 (a US NGO) we are complementing Governments efforts at reducing HIV and AIDS through promotion of the following services: provision of ART to those living with the virus, reducing prevalence rate through promoting interventions like male circumcision, prevention of mother to child transmission, counseling and testing and educating the public through trainings, sensitizations. We also renovate government hospitals and furnish them with relevant medical equipment with regards to HIV and AIDs.

This job is a new one and important for the overall care of her family.   Her 3 children now reside with her parents in Botswana so that she can get a new household set up and move forward in her career.   Childcare outside the confines of the child's home are nearly non-existent in most places in Africa.   Family is much preferred for childcare even if it means child and parent live apart.  Like many Africa University graduates,  her long term goal is to get more education so that she can direct humanitarian programs that will make life better in her area of influence. which would likely increase the "family" income.   

Reducing poverty, improving job opportunities for young people, respecting the environment in the business and personal arena, equalizing the distribution of power, resources, and opportunities for all are a few of her hopes for the education process for Africans.  

Africa University has prepared her for the future and gotten her down the road to full employment.  Sandie, like many Africans with a job, they feel the increased responsibility to provide for not only their immediate family but for many in the extended family. 
(Working on getting a photo of Sandie.  She's a busy woman these days so... we wait.)    
  

Why Scholarship Funds are needed...

This past week began the registration process for the students at Africa University for the 2nd semester classes and for many it is always a tense time waiting to learn whether or not they have been successful in getting any scholarship money.  

Facebook notes have been coming in...this is the way most of the students communicate because they have phones that  will handle messages but do not have continual  internet  to support email.   One student Landry, from DRC, indicates he was granted enough money for tuition and a place to stay but no meal package which was a big relief for him because at first he was not on the "list" at all.  For me the no meals is a concern.   

Robinah indicated that she was not on the "list" and panicked.   She's a mother of 2 and nearly 30 years old from Uganda and in her last semester.   Since she was a recipient (or had been) of one of the Indiana scholarships, we had some leverage to help this women be reinstated.   Indiana Friends of  Africa University are usually in touch with the students and the role of advocacy is an easy one.   These students have established a relationship with our 'Friends'.  All is well as of yesterday with her.  

Mukendi (from DRC) has just one semester to go.   He had worked hard and found a way to pay his own fees for Semester 1.  Now has nothing remaining to cover the fees for semester 2.  He too is very concerned as he's almost complete and all support is gone.   We are still working on his case.  It will take about $2500 for this semester if no scholarship is offered.   No easy solutions.

 

Our Christmas Eve offering and other funds ($8077) will be soon be invested in an endowment fund for additional scholarships from Indiana.   There is never enough money to go around.   The need is HUGE and the dollars are never enough.   Partial scholarships are becoming the way to go to spread around the funds to more students.   Sometimes this is a real strain and stress on the students if they have no possibility for support from family.  They are willing to go without food and find scraps somewhere but it is a real hardship not to have a place to stay and a dream dasher not to get tuition support. 

 

Please left up all of the students at Africa University as they all begin another semester which will hopefully lead to keeping their dream alive.     

Updates and News

Update:

• Giving Tuesday results ... Valparaiso 1st individuals donated an extra $1,400.  One of the big ministries supported was the Scholarship fund  at UBL... where our own Margie Miller serves.
• In 2014 our congregation donated $12,481.50 to projects supported by the connectional church.  $5,000 of that comes from Valparaiso 1st UMC budget.   Sources of the other comes from the Mel Crisman bequest to National/International Missions, Monthly Mission Focus offerings, and personal donations to a project that is near and dear to the donor. 
• The 2014 Christmas Eve offering for the Indiana Conference Africa University Campaign was $4,475.  We also had $602 from the Monthly Mission Focus in December.  Jane Roberts estate designated $3,000 for the Africa University Campaign.   Total for 2013 and 2014 toward our goal of $29,000 is $13,209.   

News:

• A team of 18 persons (maybe 16) will be arriving in Baldwin, LA by January 25 to report for their volunteer week at Sager Brown.   Traveling prayers are in order for the team.
• Hilltop's Dessert fundraiser will be held February 17.   Tickets will be available from Sue Clemens. Dessert donations are being requested.  Details on UMW Blog.   Great evening and a wonderful outreach in our community. 

Upcoming Mission Experiences..

• Team members are being recruited for the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (Chatham, IL) for March 9 - 12, 2015.   16 team members is the magic number.  Contact Mike Strayer or Karen Fritz for details.  (jstrayer@netnitco.net) or (kz8968@me.com) 
• Team members for the summer mission experience (June 13-21,2015) to visit the work of the Methodist Church in Dominican Republic with the help of Missionaries Ardell and Gordon Graner.   A team of 10-15 team members is what is required for our experience.   The cost is $1,500 - $1,600 per person which includes air transportation, ground transportation, room, board, insurance and the cost of the project in Dominican Republic.   Please direct inquires to Mike Strayer (jstrayer@netnitco.net) or Bonnie Albert (bonnie@albertmail.com or bonkay@hotmail.com)

Meet Pambi

Pambi is a student at Africa University right now.  She is youngest of 5 children.  Her parents are very active in the Methodist Church in Nigeria. Her story (as well as her family's story) and her passion for an education is inspiring.   Pambi is one of the students who came to Africa University with just enough funds to cover one semester... she (and her family) had hopes of getting a scholarship the 2nd semester.   After registration began, she realized that a scholarship was not coming through.   Long story short, her dad sold more land, Valparaiso 1st UMW provided $1,000 and private donations made up the balance for the semester.   Her first semester this year, she had a scholarship for all but $400.   Other than causing a bit of panic at the beginning of the year, she was able to register and it seems that others have come up with the balance.   Now she waits again to see if  she has a scholarship for 2nd semester.  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity; I am much honored to be the recipient of this scholarship. Growing up in a less privileged community where life is so expensive to live, has not only offered financial and academic challenges, but has also helped me realize the value of a college education.

I am currently a second year student in the faculty of humanities and social sciences majoring in psychology, and my GPA is 3.05. My plans at this stage are to complete a major in psychology. AU offers one of the finest programs and I consider myself fortunate to be able to attend.

Working as a volunteer in my community throughout my high school career, I enjoyed helping people learn about community services available to them. I hope to be able to serve in a psychologist position sometime in the future, where I might have even more of an ability to help less fortunate and underrepresented social groups. My educational pursuits would not be possible without generous support from scholarship sponsors like your organization. Thank you for enabling this opportunity. 

Making a difference after AU...

Hazvinei Jongi (2004 AU Graduate) and Della Bozarth

  Hazvinei visited us in 2012 before traveling to Lexington, KY to begin her doctorate studies in Public Health at the University of Kentucky.   She graduated from Africa University in the spring of 2004.   Struggling to find any kind of job, she worked enough to get funds together to get a Master's Degree in Public Health at Africa University.   She's an excellent student but she still could not get a job.   Keep in mind by now it is 2007 and that is when the bottom fell out of the Zimbabwe economy.   

In 2008 she landed a "volunteer" position with the United Nations in Darfur.   DARFUR!!!   That seemed like going from bad to maybe worse.   She was thrilled to have a job that actually paid wages even though it was called a "volunteer" position.   The wages were enough that she could continue to support her family back in Zimbabwe.   She provides support for her mother and sister and her nieces and nephews.  

In 2011 she met our mission team on their visit to the campus of Africa University.   What a joy it was to have her travel with us and volunteer and guide us as we visited her country.   While on campus the head of the Public Health faculty invited her in his office to talk about moving forward with her education and finding a doctorate program.   He made some connections, she worked on the application process,  and before long she had been accepted into the Public Health doctoral program at U of K.   She took 36 hours of course work that year and earned only A's and B's.   At the end of the school year, she went back to Zimbabwe to do some research for her doctoral thesis.  While there she realized what a sacrifice her family had to endure while she was away at school and unable to send support funds.  She was contacted again by the United Nations and she felt she needed to return to work so that her mother and sister's family would suffer no more.  Her doctoral degree is in limbo because she has many others to think about in the decisions she makes.   (This is true of most of the undergraduates and graduates that we have come to know and love.)  

While a Doctorate would be helpful to her, she's doing amazing work again in Darfur.  She is working to educate police and military on women's issues pertaining to violence against women.  She works with the women's prisons and gives lectures as far away as Rome on the issues of violence against women.  

Hazvinei would not be where she is today without a scholarship from Africa University.  She not only work hard to support her extended family but she is a champion for women all over Africa.  She wants to teach at Africa University one day but because the pay is so low she knows that she will need to have another job part of the year to be able to do all she does for her family.  One day Hazvinei will be a professor at this fine university but until that time, she will be changing lives wherever she works.   Please lift up Hazvinei in prayer as she continues to make a difference in the world. 

 

The Dream is Alive at Africa University

The garden has changed between 2000 and 2011 but the message is clear.
Somewhere in the photo stacks I have a hard copy of what was there
when our team was there in 2000. 

Yes the dream is alive for all of the students at Africa University. Each and every one of these students know that without at least a Master's Degree the door to employment will not be open to them so these are serious students.  

 

The Chapel which was built by one Korean Methodist Church
in 1999.   Focal point for all who come to the university.

 

 

When we first visited the campus of AU, I couldn't believe so much had been done in such a short time.  As I walked the grounds of this university, I knew that this very similar to Valparaiso University in many ways.   The focal point of both campuses is the inspiring chapel sitting at the welcoming point for all to see as they enter the campus.   Another similarity was the emphasis on being an international university.   From the very beginning Africa University aspired to be a gathering place for the best and brightest on the continent of Africa to encourage common solutions to the problems that face the African people.   Each year this university is home to about 1450 students from 25 different African nations. 

 

In the beginning (at the 1988 General Conference) our denomination voted to support the construction and underwriting of the construction and day to day operation of this university.   Each member of the United Methodist Church has provided less than 30 cents per year for the past 26 years to take a grass hut and old farm buildings and make it into a modern university.  

So back in 1998, tears filled my eyes most of the time we were there.  How humbling it was to have such a fine institution in such a short time.   This is something that one church could not do, no one country,... it took the denomination to pull together to make it happen.   Our connectional church came alive for me in July 1998 and since that time, the university has never been far from my heart and mind. 

This month we are focusing on the university not only to raise some much needed funds to endow additional student scholarships and the chair of the Agriculture Department but to let a new generation know about this fabulous example of grabbing a vision and putting our hands together to make it happen.    

She's a Wildcat!

Bonnie, Hazvinei, and Jerry Jo

      "What does that mean?" was the question from Hazvinei. I'll let someone else explain that to her but she now has the idea it has something to do with basketball.  You know, one of those sports that is so popular in Zimbabwe!   
     Taking Hazvinei to UofK was a road trip via Nashville, TN.  We visited the Africa University Development office enroute to Lexington, KY as well as a quick stop to see a granddaughter just 2 blocks from the AU office. 
      On the way south, we met Jerry Jo on a desolate corner near Lafayette to do a handoff of some necessary items for the settlement process. Jerry hailed us down with a broom in hand (I'm sorry I didn't get a photo).   Jerry Jo and her husband Jerry were cottage mates with Hazvinei while we were in Zimbabwe in October/November.  How great it is to have another supporter for Hazvinei and her journey. 

     The process of getting settled at the university was somewhat complicated with the regulations of the Patriot Act.   Hazvinei needed a bank account so we went to a bank.   The bank couldn't let her open an account until she had a tax ID number.   When we went to the IRS to file for a tax ID number they told us we couldn't have one until we had a bank account.  HUMM?  Those experiences extended our settling time by 24 hours.  We did get a bank account before leaving and had the whole process of getting a Social Security number on the right track.  Her scholarship funds will be taxed thus the need for a SS number.  

        Hazvinei starts her school year today.   She is enrolled in the Doctorate of Public Health program.   For the past 4 years she has worked with the United Nations in Darfur.   Her main work centered around health and well being of women relating to gender issues.   She worked with the women and children in the IDP camps (Internally Displaced Persons)  and women in prison.   With a Doctorate in Public Health, Hazvinei will be able to move forward and design programs which will impact the women she meets.   These women have a "low voice" and her role is to help them find their voice and give it strength.   Hazvinei has trained military officers and police officers to sensitize them to the issues of gender.  She's someone you will want to know when she returns to our church in the coming year. 
       Thanks to all who have welcomed Hazvinei into our church and have provided a bit of support for her during this first year.  You are just the best!    



Christian Zigbou is commissioned as a mission intern

Albert Longe, Mary Beth Byrne and Christian Zigbou

      Christian Zigbou and Albert Longe, 2012 Africa University graduates, were commissioned as mission interns serving with the General Board of Global Ministries on August 3.   After 3 weeks of training in Stony Point, New York, these young men are on their way to the Philippines to serve in projects of the United Methodist Church for the next 18 months.  

       Christian follows in the footsteps of his family by being a missionary.   Herbert and Mary Zigbou served as Operation Classroom Coordinators in Liberia some years ago.  Christian will be going to Davao City, Philippines and working in the area of human rights and peace advocacy.   At the end of the 18 months he will return home to Liberia for similar work  with the General Board of Global Ministries.   

      Operation Classroom schools and Africa University have prepared him to be an instrument of God in our world.   Educational scholarships empower those in developing countries to become trained for leading Africans in the future.   Thanks for your support of the scholarship programs through our United Methodist Church. 
UPDATE ON OPERATION CLASSROOM scholarships from our July Mission Offering... We were able to send $600 to OC for scholarships.   This means that 6 young people will be in school for the coming year because of you.   THANKS

  

Wednesday is a special day ...

Christian joins our team in the back row, right side.

     Africa University graduates Christian Zigbou and Hazvinei Jongi go to the American Embassy on Wednesday, July 11 in hopes of being granted a visa to enter our country temporarily.  Christian will be applying in Liberia and Hazvinei will apply in Zimbabwe. 

    Christian's visa was denied when he applied while still in Zimbabwe.  He only needs to come to the US for a 3 week training program before becoming a mission intern with the mission arm of our connectional church.  (refer to the previous post regarding his story)   

Hazinvei participated as a team member...craft time at school.

     Hazvinei is seeking a study visa (I20) to begin her doctoral studies at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.  Providing this visa is granted, Hazvinei will arrive in Chicago on August 4 and will worship with us on August 5.  (Refer to blog from May 23 for her story.)  After leaving Sudan at the end of June, she has been lecturing at Africa University about her experiences in Darfur, Sudan relating to women's health.    

     Please keep these two wonderful young people in your prayers tomorrow (7/11).   I will update this post when I hear whether or not the visas were granted.    

NEWS FLASH early on the 11th...
Dear Mom,

I just want to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to you for all the prayers and supports. I am just from the Visa interview and I was told to come and pick the Visa on Friday. I left my passport there.
God is good. Please extend my sincere thanks to my friends at VIM for all the supports and prayers. May God bless and hope to hear from you.

That was CHRISTIAN's note to Mary Beth early this morning.  Answered prayers means that he will arrive a little late for the GBGM Mission training but he will arrive.  Thanks for the prayer support. 

7/12/2012 We are still waiting news from Hazvinei.  Please continue to hold her in your prayers.   She is lecturing at the Africa University daily for the facutly in the Health Sciences Department so let's just hope she has a busy schedule and hasn't had time or resources to share her good news.  Sometimes we forget not everyone has 24/7 access to the internet.  
7/12/2012 noon   I just received a very short email from Hazvinei to say the visa was granted today.   Another very happy young Africa University graduate.    Look for her at Valparaiso FUMC on August 5.    .  

Indiana invests in the education of young Africans

Christian Zigbou, 2012 Africa University Graduate

         Christian Zigbou has an amazing story of survival in the midst of chaos in Liberia.   His mother was killed when he was 6 and he was raised by an older sister being the youngest of 8 children.  With intense fighting in his country, he was forced to live as a refugee in the Ivory Coast for a time.   During this period his father and 3 more siblings were also killed. 
Were it not for an Operation Classroom scholarship, it is difficult to imagine where Christian might be today.    After graduating from Ganta School, Indiana continued their committment to his education and he was awarded a scholarship to attend Africa University in Zimbabwe.  He arrived on campus in August 2008, studied Computer Information Systems, graduated, and has now returned back to his home country for the first time in 4 years. 

      He returned to siblings, aunts, and uncles to celebrate his victory over hardship.  He is now preparing to come to the US on July 12  for 3 weeks of mission training so that he can serve as a Mission Intern with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.   After the training it is expected that he will spend 18 months in the Phillipines doing mission work and then go back to Liberia for another 18 months of work in the mission field.   What an amazing opportunity for this young man and all because our church recognizes the importance of getting bright young people educated and in a position to change the face of Africa. 

      Christian still hopes to get at least a Master's Degree one day but for now he's thrilled with the opportunity to give back to others what has been given to him.   Please pray that our government will give him a visa to come to our country to receive the training for mission work.   

Opportunities await Christian Zigbou

Christian Zigbou and Mary Beth Byrne share stories.

Christian Zigbou will soon be one of the many honored and respected graduates of Africa University, Zimbabwe.   Our Africa University team met him in October 2011 as he was one of the 11 scholarship students sponsored by Indiana Conference.  

Mary Beth Byrne was selected to be Christian's partner for a social gathering one evening and they became fast friends.  His desire and dream to be a missionary was communicated to her.  To make a long story short, she arranged for him to complete an application to become a mission intern for the United Methodist Church after she had returned to the US. 

In March she received an email from Christian indicating that he had been accepted.  Graduation is June 9 and he is to report to New York for training on July 12.   His work with the UM Church will be to be involved in doing mission work her in the United States for the 1st 18 months and then returnihng to his home country (Liberia) for the remaining 18 months to be in the field of mission.   How great is that!!! 

One problem has everyone concerned.  He has been denied a visa to come to the US.   Everyone including the staff at AU, staff of Mission resources, and Mary Beth is working with authorities to get the visa in time to travel from Liberia (his home country) to the United States in time for training.  This is such a wonderful opportunity for Christian and his desire to give back to the conference and church that has made his dream of a university degree a reality. Please lift Christian up in prayer as he prepares begin yet another amazing opportunity that has been offered to him by our connectional church.    

The Dream IS Alive for Hazvinei Jongi

Hazvinei's dream is alive. 

     In 2000 as we toured the campus of Africa University a small new planting had been started.  The shrubs were whispering the school motto  "the Dream is Alive".   This year for over 1600 students from 23 African nations the shrubs have matured (see photo above) but the message is the same...it still captures how students feel about Africa University yet today. Education in Africa at any level captures the top of nearly every person's list of dreams.   Employment opportunities are so few, young Africans realize the only way to get a job that will support a family is to get not just a college degree but at least 2 or 3 master's degrees or beyond.     

     While in Zimbabwe in 2000, our mission team had the opportunity to give $500 toward the school fees for each of 3 students.  I still communicate with all of them and on our recent trip to Zimbabwe, we were able to meet 2 of the 3.   Hazvinei was one of the three.   She took a vacation from her job working with the United Nations in the prisons, women in the IDP camps, and with law enforcement employees in Darfur, Sudan to come and spent a week with our team in October 2011 at Africa University.   I can't begin to tell you how great it was to finally meet her after 11 years of corresponding first by snail mail and then by email and phone calls.  

Gene Albert, Hazvinei Jongi, Bonnie Albert

Hazvinei and I met with the Dean of the School of Health Sciences in early November 2011.   He gave her information and encouragement about getting a doctorate in Public Health.   He directed her toward University of Kentucky, Lexington, and to Dr. James Holsinger. She did exactly that, completed her application and waited.  Just 3 weeks ago she received the invitation for a position as a doctoral student with tuition waived at U of K.  You should read her excited email but she still had one hurdle to make before that excitment could really be expressed.  She needed to demonstrate that she had  $12,000 to $15,000 of support for living expenses for the first year.   She had saved just $4,000.  

      With the help of Dr. Holsinger, Dean of Health Sciences at U of K,  she has been able to use her funds, add some scholarship money from the University and gather private donations from our "Indiana Friends of Africa University".   Together we have pulled off a miracle.   In just 3 weeks, all the support has been raised.  

     Valparaiso 1st UMC is one of those  Indiana Friends of Africa University.   We were able to donate funds toward her support for this first year.   Hazvinei will join us in worship on the first Sunday in August.   THANKS so much for your faithful giving to the mission fund at our church.   Your gifts helped make this kind of world changing opportunity be a dream realized.